British number one Heather Watson said she has proved she can compete with the best after getting within two points of beating Serena Williams at Wimbledon.

The 23-year-old from Guernsey served for the match against the world number one but lost 6-2 4-6 7-5 in front of a partisan Centre Court crowd.

"I was two points away from winning, so I'm pretty disappointed," said Watson.

"I've learnt that I can compete with the best in the world and I can play really good tennis."

Watson was cheered on by a raucous Centre Court crowd, which was warned on several occasions by the umpire as they reacted to shots mid-point.

"It was the loudest the crowd has ever been for me," added Watson. "I was getting goose bumps and loved every second. I am just disappointed I couldn't win it for them.

"I gave myself the opportunity to play against the best player in the world.

"I also gave myself the opportunity to beat her. I didn't take it this time. But I'm really glad I was in that situation because I can learn from it and do better next time."

Crowd shocked Serena

Williams, 33, remains on track to win a fourth straight major title and the win inched her closer towards a calendar-year Grand Slam, but the American was pushed hard by Watson.

"She should have won the match. I think she played unbelievable," said Williams.

"She could get beyond the top 20, she is playing really well," she added.

"She should set her sights higher. She was playing so good there was nothing I could do."

And the five-time Wimbledon champion admitted she had never experienced such a partisan crowd at the All England Club, adding that she was surprised at how they reacted to her complaints about distracting mid-rally noise.

"I never saw a crowd like this, they were really into it," added Williams, who will play sister and five-time champion Venus in the next round.

"I've never seen them this vocal or heard boos here, so that was new for me, but I've been through it all."

Laura Robson has won her first match since September 2013. She's playing in the second tier ITF tournament in Granby in Canada. She beat the number 2 seed Naomi Osaka (workd ranking 162) 7-6, 6-7, 6-3.

She's also opted to go in to the main draw for the US Open.

British number one Heather Watson qualified for the main draw of the Rogers Cup in Toronto with a three-set win over Australia's Jarmila Gajdosova.

The 23-year-old beat Gajdosova 6-1 3-6 6-2, having beaten Elena Vesnina in the first round of qualifying on Saturday.

Hirst round match is agsinst another qualifier Irina Falconi.

Heather Watson progressed to the second round of the Rogers Cup in Toronto after beating American Irina Falconi.

The British number one, 23, came through with ease to win 6-1 6-2.

Second round opponent is Andrea Petkovic (ranked 17). The winner will meet Serena Williams in the third round.

Heather Watson was beaten in the second round 6-4, 6-3.

Belinda Bencic seems to be the new sensation of the women's game.

It's looking like a long path back for Laura Robson - how did she do at that ITF tournament.

Laura Robson hasn't had much success though did beat Naomi Osaka (ranked 162) a month ago. She's currently ranked 727. She has gone straight into the main draw of the US Open and will get up to around 640 even if she loses. She's realistic to know that it's going to take a long time to get back up towards the top.

First round opponent in the Open is Elena Vesnina (ranked 110) so she has a chance.

British number one Heather Watson said she let the tension get to her as she lost to world number 84 Lauren Davis in straight sets at the US Open.

American Davis won 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-0), condemning Watson to a fifth straight first-round defeat in New York.

The Briton, ranked 61st, had previously been drawn against the likes of Maria Sharapova, Li Na and Simona Halep.

"I'm very disappointed with the loss. I thought it was an opportunity but it's never easy," Watson told BBC Sport.

"I think all matches at Grand Slams are tough and everybody raises their level. But it's done now - I can't go back and change it."

Jo Konta in confident mood

The world number 97 is in the form of her life and sees no reason why she cannot topple another seed and make it 16 wins in a row.

Konta's spectacular run since Wimbledon swept up ninth seed and SW19 finalist Garbine Muguruza over the course of three and a half hours on Thursday.

"If I would go out against some of these players and see them as their ranking, then I probably would have already lost before I even stepped on the court," said the 24-year-old.

"I keep in mind that everyone is human. There are no super-humans out there. I just feel confident in my own ability."

Qualifier Konta has already guaranteed a career-best pay cheque of £79,000 for her run to the third round, and another victory would earn her £141,000.

It would also help her close in on Heather Watson in the rankings, although Konta insists that becoming British number one is not on her mind.

"It really isn't," she said. "I really am just enjoying competing. I'm happy I get to be in the third round of the US Open.

"There are not that many people in the world that can say they have done that."

Petkovic, 27, was a quarter-finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2011 but has not been past the third round since.

"I'm expecting a very tough competitor, because that's what she is," said Konta.

Britain's Jo Konta continued her remarkable run with victory over 18th seed Andrea Petkovic in the US Open third round.

Konta, ranked 97th, converted her sixth match point to win 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 and take her winning streak to 16 matches.

The 24-year-old British number two had never been past the second round at a Grand Slam before this week.

She next faces two-time Wimbledon champion and fourth seed Petra Kvitova in the last 16 on Monday.

"It's all a progression," said Konta. "I feel like I've been playing a good level of tennis all year.

"It's always a confidence boost when you get to play against the best players in the world."

Konta keeps her cool

It took two service games and six match points to see it out, but Konta again had too much for a player ranked well above her.

"It was definitely tough because, even if she's not feeling her best, she's one of the best competitors on the tour," said Konta.

"She definitely didn't give it to me, as you can tell from the last three games."

When Petkovic, swathed in ice towels, took a medical timeout during the second set, it was clear her challenge was fading.

The damage had already been done, however, after Konta deservedly took a tight first set of six service breaks in the tie-break.

She had recovered from dropping serve at the start of the match and attacked the vulnerable Petkovic forehand.

Poor service games from the Briton at 4-3 and 6-5 suggested the nerves with which she has coped so well in New York were fluttering, but from 0-2 down she reeled off seven straight points in a superb tie-break.

Petkovic, now wearing a visor despite relatively kind conditions, was clearly struggling when she dropped serve early in the second, and slipped further behind after having her blood pressure taken at 0-3.

Konta came agonisingly close to victory with three match points at 5-1, but converted her second chance to serve it out after one hour and 56 minutes.

Sixteen wins and counting

After losing to Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon, Konta racked up 10 victories while winning two challenger titles in Canada, three in US Open qualifying and now three in the main draw.

She is the first British woman to reach the fourth round at a Grand Slam since Laura Robson made the same stage at Flushing Meadows three years ago.

Another victory would make her Britain's first female Slam quarter-finalist since Jo Durie at Wimbledon in 1984.

Winning sixteen matches in a row is something most professional tennis players will never experience, bearing in mind it takes five or six to win most tournaments.

Konta recorded 10 wins while claiming two titles on the lower challenger tour after Wimbledon, although Vancouver is at the upper end of that scale and not far off WTA quality. She then won three matches in qualifying, and now three in the main draw.

Moving on up

Konta has now guaranteed herself at least £141,000 for reaching the fourth round - more than four times her previous biggest pay cheque.

She is also set to take a significant climb in the world rankings from her current position of 97, with a current projection of around 58th should she end her run in round four.

That is likely to leave her tantalisingly close to the British number one spot, with Heather Watson expected to be around 56th when the new rankings are released after the US Open.

The new rankings list released today show Heather Watson 56 (from 61) and Johanna Konta 58 (from 97).

Britain's Heather Watson and Johanna Konta are one win away from the Wuhan Open main draw after both won their opening qualifying matches in China.

British number one Watson, 23, beat Australia's Jarmila Gajdosova 6-1 7-6 (7-4) while Konta overcame Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada 6-2 7-6 (7-2).

World number 59 Watson will next play Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva, ranked 19 places below her, on Saturday.

Konta, 24, will face American Irina Falconi (ranked 70).

The British number two is just 50 ranking points behind Watson following her run to the fourth round of the US Open.

"I've completely put that tournament behind me because the season goes on and tournaments come and go," said Konta.

Watson was playing for only the second time since losing to Lauren Davis in the US Open first round in August.

Both Heather Watson and Johanna Konta won their second round qualifying matches to get to the main draw.

Johanna Konta is drawn against Andrea Petkovic (ranked 17) and Heather Watson against Jelena Jankovic (ranked 25) in the first round.

Great Britain's Johanna Konta beat German world number 17 Andrea Petkovic 6-4 7-5 to advance to the second round of the Wuhan Open in China.

The 24-year-old will meet Belarusian Victoria Azarenka after her second win of the season over the 2014 French Open semi-finalist.

World number 63 Konta has now won 19 of her last 20 matches since losing to Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon.

She is within four ranking places of British number one Heather Watson.

Heather Watson's first round match is tonight. Unless she wins, Johanna Konta will become Britain's number one.

Johanna Konta is to become the new British number one following Heather Watson's defeat in the first round of the Wuhan Open in China.

Current British number one Watson, 23, saved four match points but was unable to avoid a 6-3 2-6 6-3 loss to former world number one Jelena Jankovic.

Konta's win over German Andrea Petkovic in her first-round match means the 24-year-old will go above Watson when the new rankings are announced next week.

Konta next plays Victoria Azarenka.

Born in Sydney but based in Eastbourne since becoming a British citizen in 2012, Konta has won 19 of her last 20 matches since losing to Russian Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon.

That spectacular run of form saw her reach the fourth round of the US Open as a qualifier earlier in September.

Watson, who like Konta came through two rounds of qualifying in Wuhan, has now suffered successive first-round exits following a similar defeat in the Korea Open.

Jankovic won a match of shifting momentum over two hours and 14 minutes, just two days after winning her first WTA title for two years in Guangzhou.

"I am really disappointed with today," said Watson. "I thought my form had been good coming in.

"I knew she would be coming in with a lot of confidence but also a bit tired from her title in Guangzhou, so I saw this a big opportunity.

"I feel like I really missed out but that's my fault and I will have to look back and work on the things I need to work on."

Yesterday's news:

Britain's Johanna Konta reached the last 16 at the Wuhan Open in China after Victoria Azarenka retired with a leg injury in round two.

The 24-year-old Briton led 6-4 1-0 when former world number one Azarenka decided she could not continue.

Konta, the world number 66, will replace Heather Watson as British number one in next week's rankings.

She came through two rounds of qualifying in Wuhan, joining 19 of the world's top 20 in the main draw.

Konta will play Romanian top seed Simona Halep in round three, after the world number two beat Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2 6-1.

And today's huge news:

Britain's Johanna Konta staged a superb fightback to beat world number two Simona Halep 6-3 3-6 7-5 and reach the quarter-finals of the Wuhan Open.

After winning the first set, Konta looked set for defeat as her Romanian opponent won the second and was 5-1 up in the decisive third.

However Halep had no answer as Konta fought back to progress.

The 24-year-old will next play former world number one Venus Williams for a place in the last four.

Konta becomes the first British woman to beat a world number two since Sue Barker defeated Tracy Austin in 1981.

"It was a very tough match," said Konta.

"Halep played at an unbelievable level. I was really happy I was able to take a few of the chances I created."

Konta, who will replace Heather Watson as British number one, had won 21 of her previous 22 matches this season.

She began the year ranked 150th but will pass her compatriot in next week's rankings. Watson is ranked 60th in the world.

Konta came through two rounds of qualifying in Wuhan, joining 19 of the world's top 20 in the main draw, and reached the last 16 after Victoria Azarenka retired with a leg injury.

Konta goes where few have gone before

It has been 34 years since a Briton has managed to beat a world number two.

Watson came close to beating world number one Serena Williams at Wimbledon this summer, while British number three Laura Robson defeated Kim Clijsters and Li Na at the 2012 US Open.

This year, Konta has twice beaten Wimbledon finalist Sabine Muguruza and has now overcome the world number two.

'It's not an accident'

"Playing Venus is a childhood dream," said Konta. "I'm taking care of being able to recover.

"I feel lucky and humble I get to play so many matches, and be able to win a few of them. There's a lot of hard work behind it. It's not an accident or a click.

"Everything is a process and a journey, and it's nice to be on a high right now.

"I'm not that amazed, overwhelmed or unnecessarily excited about every match. I'm an ambitious person and believe in my own ability. But I know how tennis works - there are ups and downs."

What they say

Former British number one Annabel Croft on BBC Radio 5 live:

"She's been on meteoric rise since the grass-court season started at Eastbourne. She's a transformed player from the one we saw a year ago. Today was the biggest win of her career by a long way.

"She's a grafter, a lovely girl and appreciative of everything handed out.

"You couldn't wish the success on a nicer person. It proves hard work, graft and application to the task has paid off.

"She has a huge serve and used to have a vulnerable forehand, but that has disappeared. The backhand is a world-class shot. She is also extremely fit. That combination, alongside having a sports psychologist, means she is becoming a formidable opponent for anybody."

Whatever happens in the quarter final Johanna Konta has almost certainly broken into the top 50 and at the rate she's going could get into the top 30.

When did you add Johanna Konta to the thread title?

Great to see that her remarkable year continues.

On 5 September when she beat Garbine Muguruza the 9th seed in the US Open. It was clear then that she had improved and was going to go much higher in the rankings. If she can maintain her form in the next season she could get into the top 10 but we'll see what happens.

It's not unusual for tennis players to improve when they get into their mid 20s - she's 24. Heather Watson is 23 and Laura Robson 21 so it's reasonable to hope that their ramkings will improve.

In a close match Venus Williams has just beaten Johanna Konta:

Johanna Konta (GB) 4-6 6-3 5-7 Venus Williams (US)

As expected Johanna Konta's ranking has improved to 49. Heather Watson is on 62.

British number one Johanna Konta missed out on a place in the main draw of the WTA event in Linz with a three-set defeat by Czech Klara Koukalova.

Konta, at a career-high ranking of 47, led 4-2 in the final set but lost 6-2 2-6 6-4 to the world number 105.

It was only Konta's third defeat in 26 matches since Wimbledon, and her first to a lower-ranked player since May.

The 24-year-old will play doubles with fellow Briton Naomi Broady in Linz, before heading to Luxembourg next week

According to the BBC this evening Laura Robson won't be competing again in 2015.

She's concentrating on her training and intends to enter the Australian Open at the start of next year.

Britain's Heather Watson has battled into the second round of the Hong Kong Open, beating China's Zhang Kai-Lin.

The 23-year-old British number two took more than two hours to overcome world number 191 Zhang 3-6 6-1 6-2.

In Linz, British number one Johanna Konta beat Germany's Annika Beck 6-1 6-3 at a WTA event after being awarded a 'lucky loser' spot for the main draw.

Konta had lost in qualifying, but was promoted to the main draw after another player had withdrawn.

Britain's Heather Watson reached the quarter-finals of the Hong Kong Open by beating Chinese Taipei's Lee Ya-Hsuan 6-0 6-7 (5-7) 6-4.

The 23-year-old British number two, ranked 61, will face 2009 US Open champion Sam Stosur in the last eight.

It is Watson's first quarter-final since winning the Hobart tournament in January.

Johanna Konta saved six match points but lost 6-3 7-5 to Madison Brengle in the second round of the Linz Open.

It was the British number one's second defeat in Austria, having only reached the main draw as a 'lucky loser'.

In a second set of nine breaks, Konta rallied from 0-40 when Brengle served for the match at 5-4 and again from 15-40 two games later before succumbing.

BBC words:

Heather Watson has been knocked out of the Hong Kong Open in the quarter-finals by fifth seed Samantha Stosur.

British number two Watson, 23, took the first set and was a break up in the second but failed to take advantage as Stosur rallied to win 4-6 6-3 6-0.

Watson's capitulation included losing the last 11 games of the match, which lasted just under two hours.

Australian Stosur will face France's Caroline Garcia or German second seed Angelique Kerber in the last four.

Latest rankings show Johanna Konta at 46 (from 47) and Heather Watson at 54 (from 61).

Heather Watson is in the Luxembourg tournament bur has been drawn against Ana Ivanovic (ranked 12) in the first round.

Britain's Heather Watson is out of the Luxembourg Open after losing 6-4 6-3 to Serb Ana Ivanovic in the first round.

The British number two, who reached the Hong Kong Open quarter-finals, lost the first two games to former world number one Ivanovic, 27, ranked 12th.

The 23-year-old, world ranked 54, levelled by breaking back to love but lost the opening set in 28 minutes.

Second seed Ivanovic maintained the pressure and won in 70 minutes in the first meeting between the pair.

Watson won successive games to close to 3-5 in the second set and went 40-0 ahead in the next game, only to lose the next five points, three of them with double faults.

"I was very happy about this victory because I expected a tough match - I know Heather's a great fighter and she can play really well against top players," said Ivanovic, who won the event in 2007.

Very near the end of the season, Rankings are Johanna Konta at 47 and Heather Watson at 54. Good season for Johanna Konta, indifferent for Heather Watson.